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Antiques stolen from royal museum in Himachal’s Kangra

According to police reports, the thieves entered the museum from the rear side after removing the exhaust fan

Published on: Feb 19, 2025, 08:20:07 IST
By , Dharamshala
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A number of antiques, including a silver Khadau (slippers), have been stolen from the Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum near the Kangra Fort, said police on Tuesday.

According to the list prepared by police, stolen items include a pair of silver Khadau, 36 silver children’s toys, two antique revolvers and a silver tray. (File)
According to the list prepared by police, stolen items include a pair of silver Khadau, 36 silver children’s toys, two antique revolvers and a silver tray. (File)

The theft took place during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. According to police reports, the thieves entered the museum from the rear side after removing the exhaust fan. According to the list prepared by police, stolen items include a pair of silver Khadau, 36 silver children’s toys, two antique revolvers and a silver tray.

A case has been registered and investigations are underway.

Kangra assistant superintendent of police (ASP) Bir Bahadur said, “We have prepared a list of stolen objects, registered an FIR and secured CCTV footage. The police have begun an in-depth investigation. A police team, including the concerned SDPO, has visited the site. Initial findings suggest that two individuals were involved in the theft but there can be more and we are examining all aspects.”

An initiative of the present-day Katoch family, the Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum, displays the ancestral belongings of the family and serves as a prime location for visitors to have a glimpse of the fort. It is a private museum showcasing the Kangra region’s history and the royal family’s lifestyle. The museum gives an entire glimpse of the millennia-old history of Kangra’s dynasty, culture and art.

The museum was dedicated to honour Maharaja Sansar Chandra by the royal family, who was their ancestor and whose reign was known as the golden age of Kangra. Maharaja Sansar Chandra inherited the throne of Kangra at just 10 years of age.

  • Dar Ovais
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Dar Ovais

    Dar Ovais is a Senior Correspondent in the Himachal Pradesh bureau of Hindustan Times. He covers tourism, politics, environmental issues, climate-related developments in the hill state, and Tibetan affairs, with a particular focus on developments concerning the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government-in-exile, and the Tibetan exile community. He has also reported from border regions of Jammu and Kashmir during the 2025 conflict (Operation Sindoor). Having worked with Hindustan Times since 2019, he has reported extensively on education, agriculture, the power sector, and civic issues during his previous stints in Punjab and Chandigarh.Read More